Senator Ned Nwoko has claimed he was promised an automatic ticket before joining the All Progressives Congress (APC), but was later betrayed by the party. The Delta North senator made the allegation in a video that has since gone viral on social media.
The controversy comes after the APC senatorial primaries for Delta North Senatorial District held recently. Former Delta State Governor, Senator Ifeanyi Okowa, defeated incumbent Senator Ned Nwoko to clinch the party’s ticket for the 2027 general election.Okowa polled 113,309 votes while Nwoko managed only 2,612 votes across the nine local government areas in the district. The outcome was described as a major political upset in the zone.Following his loss, Nwoko had earlier alleged manipulation and irregularities in the primary. He has now gone further by stating that he only joined the APC after receiving assurances of an automatic ticket.
In the widely shared clip, Senator Nwoko said:
“I was promised automatic ticket before I joined APC but they betrayed me.”
The statement has sparked mixed reactions online, with some supporters expressing sympathy while others questioned the wisdom of relying on verbal promises in politics.Nwoko had defected to the APC ahead of the primaries, a move many believed would strengthen his chances of retaining the Delta North seat. However, the emergence of Okowa, a former two-term governor with strong grassroots structures, changed the dynamics of the contest.
Some APC chieftains have dismissed Nwoko’s claims of an automatic ticket promise. They insist the primaries were free, fair and credible, and that every aspirant was expected to contest transparently.The development has further heightened political tension in Delta State as the state prepares for the 2027 elections. Analysts say the public disagreement between Nwoko and the party could have implications for APC’s fortunes in Delta North if not properly managed.Senator Nwoko is yet to issue a further statement on his next political move following the loss of the ticket.
